Angola
Angola performs in the low range with regard to three categories of the Global State of Democracy framework: Representation, Rights and Rule of Law. It sits on the border between low and mid-range performance in Participation. It is among the bottom 25 per cent of countries in the world with regard to multiple factors across all categories and over the past five years it has experienced a decline in Free Political Parties. Angola is heavily dependent on its oil sector, rendering its economy severely susceptible to market fluctuations. Moreover, oil wealth is concentrated among a small elite and fails to trickle down to the broader population.
Prior to the arrival of Portuguese colonizers in the late 15th century, Angola was governed by several Bantu kingdoms, most notably the Kongo kingdom. Following its independence from Portugal in 1975 and until 2002, Angola was embroiled in a civil war as different anti-colonial guerrilla groups (principally the MPLA, FNLA and UNITA) fought for control of the country. The war was won by the MPLA which has held power continuously since independence. For the first 17 years, the party governed the country as a Marxist-Leninist one-party state and has heavily shaped the democratisation processes that followed the introduction of multi-party elections in 1992. Angolans did not go to the polls again until 2008 (due, in part, to the civil war) and while elections have been held regularly since, their credibility has been tainted by persistent allegations of fraud, intimidation and violence. Angola’s constitution has undergone many changes (most recently in 2021), which have reinforced the MPLA’s dominant position and strengthened the powerful presidency, that enjoys significant legislative authority and the exclusive right to appoint senior judges. The dominance of the ruling party has left opposition parties weak, and they have been subjected to state interference and repression. Similarly, civil society organisations, which were absent until 1992, remain fragile and vulnerable to the growing restrictions on civic space. Most of the media is owned by the state and these outlets rarely criticise the government.
Corruption, fueled in part by the oil sector, is one of the main challenges in the country, affecting its economy, politics, and society. Additionally, the lack of diversified economic development has affected opportunities for the youth, who make up the majority of the voting population and suffer from unemployment, poverty, and economic inequality. Their anti-government protests and the opposition’s efforts to exploit this discontent have led to two recent presidential decrees aimed at addressing youth dissatisfaction and labor opportunities.
Angola is a mid-performer on the GSoD’s measure of Gender Equality and women’s representation in political leadership has recently seen progress. Nevertheless, women continue to suffer discrimination and gender-based violence and gaps in the labor market reflect a broader struggle against entrenched patriarchal norms. Despite key reforms to the colonia-era legal framework, stigma and discrimination remain common experiences among the LGBTQIA+ community.
Looking ahead, Free Political Parties is likely to remain an area of change, especially in the lead up to the 2027 general elections. Civil Liberties, and Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Association and Assembly in particular, should also be watched following the recent enactment of legislation restricting the right to protest.
Last updated: June 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
May 2026
Parliament approves law regulating online ‘false information’
On 21 May, Angola’s National Assembly passed the Law Against False Information on the Internet. The law is intended to prevent false information being produced or disseminated on the internet, including content created abroad for an Angolan audience. It obliges internet platforms to be transparent about paid content and to identify and address disinformation. Criticism, however, has focused on the enforcement framework it establishes and its oversight by the state communications regulator. The Instituto Angolano das Comunicações (INACOM), is empowered to declare content false, mandate its removal and impose heavy fines for non-compliance, which could have a chilling effect on free expression. The location of these powers with INACOM has also been criticised, due to the influence the government has in appointing its members, raising fears the enforcement process is vulnerable to being weaponised, in the absence of procedural safeguards such as an evidentiary burden and an urgency test.
Update: The Law Against False Information on the Internet came into force on 4 August 2026, when it was gazetted.
Sources: Lei n.º 6/26 - Lei Contra Informações Falsas na Internet, Ver Angola, Make Angola, Pro bono Angola, Novo Jornal
February 2026
President signs law expanding state regulation of civil society organizations
On 19 February, President João Lourenço signed into law new legislation regulating the operation of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The law grants authorities broad powers to monitor, suspend, dissolve and restrict the financing of civil society organizations, on the grounds of combatting money laundering, financing terrorism and other criminal activities. Civil society organizations and legal experts, however, argued the new regulatory powers are excessive and ill-defined and allow for inappropriate government intervention into NGOs that threaten their independence. They also expressed fears it could undermine freedoms of association and expression. The law provides for a transition period of 180 days within which NGOs must comply with the new legal framework.
Sources: Lei n.º 2/26 - Lei das Organizações Não-Governamentais, Human Rights Watch, American Bar Association, Ver Angola
August 2025
Violence against Chinese-owned businesses prompts diaspora flight
Thousands of Chinese nationals living in Angola fled the country in August, following an outbreak of violence directed at Chinese-owned businesses by protesters. The violence was triggered by anti-government protests in late July, which descended into widespread looting and vandalism that reportedly saw Chinese-owned businesses targeted with particular ferocity and resulted in the destruction or closure of more than 100 such enterprises. In the wake of the attacks, at least 5,000 Chinese nationals left Angola. Against a background of high economic inequality, the prominent role played by China and its diaspora in Angola’s economy has become a source of tension in the country.
Sources: Daily Monitor, The East African, The Globe and Mail
July 2025
Mass protests and violence erupt over fuel price rises
Between 28 and 29 July, at least 22 people were killed and nearly 200 others injured in clashes between police and protesters demonstrating against the Angolan government’s removal of fuel subsidies and the growing cost of living. The protests began in Luanda on 28 July, triggered by a taxi strike in the capital, but quickly spread to three other provinces and were reported to be the most widespread and disruptive demonstrations Angola has experienced in recent years. While the protests began peacefully, they descended into violence, with police using live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters and some protesters engaging in looting and vandalism. Several smaller scale fuel protests were held earlier in July and were also affected by police violence.
Sources: Africa Confidential, British Broadcasting Corporation, ISS Africa, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International
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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2025
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